The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it aims to elevate food security in 2025, targeting a record rice harvest and enhanced agricultural systems.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged DA officials and staff to strive for greater achievements despite ongoing challenges. In his message during the first management committee meeting of the year read by Undersecretary for operations Roger Navarro, Tiu Laurel stressed the importance of bold action to secure food supply chains and protect farmers, fisherfolk and consumers.
“We achieved significant progress in 2024, but 2025 demands bigger goals and stronger resolve,” he said.
He cited the DA’s efforts to stabilize food prices and address disruptions last year but stressed that rising input costs, climate variability, and smuggling remain key hurdles to food security.
The DA’s 2025 goals include achieving a record rice harvest of 20.46 million metric tons and improving logistics for perishable goods like vegetables and fruits. Tiu Laurel also emphasized developing infrastructure like cold chain systems and regional production hubs to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food availability in local markets.
